Spotlights or Floodlights

johnwembley · Veteran Member

Spotlights or Floodlights

03_Troopy · Guru

Usually you fit one of each so that you have the pencil beam for distance, and the flood to light up more side area in front of the vehicle. Or you could co for 2 X Pencil beams, and a LED light bar. The LED light bars are good for plenty of spread lighting to light up the sides of the road, but you don't get a lot of distance with them.

johnwembley · Veteran Member

thats great..thanks Guru

03_Troopy · Guru

Hi John, it's Bob here. or 03_Troopy is my nick. The Guru you see on the profile pane is just a tag you get after a certain number of posts. I'm definitely not a Guru LOL

The Phantom · Guru

John, take a look at things from a slightly different perspective. I notice you have a camp trailer. Surely you will be setting up and settling in long before it is dark.

If so, is it really necessary to fit spotties of any type to your vehicle?

Why not save your hard earned or spend it on something really useful, such as more beer to enjoy while you are sitting in the shade after setting up.

The Phantom

first timer · Senior Member

Jon
I tend to agree with the phantom, my last tug was a 100 series cruiser which I took to cape york and I had 2 spotties and a led bar and didn't use them at all on my trip. I've now got a prado and I haven't even got a bull bar let alone lights on it, simply because of I now don't drive at night very often especially when towing the caravan.
Ashley

Casualkev · Senior Member

John have a look at the video on the ARB site it shows both types here's the link www.arb.com.au/products/vehicle-lighting-rear-vision/arb-intensity-led-lights/

Kev

Possum3 · Guru

Be aware (in NSW) that if a light bar fitted to front of vehicle, there cannot be a continuous bar of light i.e. there must be a separation in the middle so in effect there is two distinct light sources. Some are covering centre of beam to comply - easier to buy two separate small bars.

elliemike · Guru

What's the law on using spots while driving on a road.

Never felt the need for them myself.

Even when out with our 4x4 club we are always sitting by a campfire before dark.

Joe50 · Guru

Seems the law in Queensland has been relaxed, according to the December issue of the RACQ's The Road Ahead magazine. LED lightbars can be fitted either singly or in pairs, with an LED lightbar considered to be one driving lamp if all LEDs operate together. Any lights must be fitted symmetrically around the vehicle's longitudinal centreline.

Joe

Desert Dweller · Guru

We're asleep before it gets dark. Lots of lights & a snorkel do make a 4x4 look tough though.

dishlicker · Senior Member

Hi John Ihave to go with phantom and others i did fit a set of light bars to the unit just incase we do run late. But im usually in a chair with a coldy by 4.30/ 5pm at the latest and enjoying the serenity Cheers

navynurse · Senior Member

Just be aware it is NOT LEAGLE in most states to have the spot light any higher than the centreline of the vehicle headlights. So that means no roof mounts or top of bull bar.
You would be unlucky to get pinched for it but I know of cases where it has happened.
Personally I don't have spoties as I rarely travel after dark, too many hoppey things etc.

Allan

03_Troopy · Guru

The gov site to view ADRs seems to be having problems at the moment, but It is legal to use LED light bars in NSW. And there is no specification on Height, just that it is fitted symmetric about the centreline of the vehicle.

johnwembley · Veteran Member

thank you all so much. I can see your point. Although we have driven in the dark many times as we are on shorter timeframes (due to not yet retired maybe), and always seem to be on the edge of seat when sun is going down, and looking out for the Roos etc. We would feel safer with a bull bar and spots, so think we will go ahead with 2 spots. Thanks all for valued opinions.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I bought hid flood lights through Alababa $65 to the door . Been on 2 years still going strong .. I just wish I bought flood lights or the left light as flood light .. Can see better around corners .. The spot lights I have are a little too pencile beam ..

03_Troopy · Guru

johnwembley wrote:
thank you all so much. I can see your point. Although we have driven in the dark many times as we are on shorter timeframes (due to not yet retired maybe), and always seem to be on the edge of seat when sun is going down, and looking out for the Roos etc. We would feel safer with a bull bar and spots, so think we will go ahead with 2 spots. Thanks all for valued opinions.

Better off with one spot and one flood mate, then you can see the ones on the closer ones on the side of the road too.

johnwembley · Veteran Member

thanks again..yes we will go one of each

cheers

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I too agree with ALL the comments and advice provided regarding the need for driving/LED lights for night driving.

I have Cibie Oscars (over 30 years old) and I have taken them from each vehicle to any replacement vehicle over the years.

However, particularly since retiring and travelling full-time, I rarely drive at night requiring the use of anything other than the standard high beam.

If I do end up on a back road, the driving lights are definitely handy for seeing excellently. I have a spot and a flood - for the reasons already stated by others.

Regarding LED light bars - read this -

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/where-can-you-legally-mount-led-lightbars/

The acceptance, and regulations, seem to be changing (relaxing) each month.

Cheers - John

03_Troopy · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I too agree with ALL the comments and advice provided regarding the need for driving/LED lights for night driving.
I have Cibie Oscars (over 30 years old) and I have taken them from each vehicle to any replacement vehicle over the years.
However, particularly since retiring and travelling full-time, I rarely drive at night requiring the use of anything other than the standard high beam.
If I do end up on a back road, the driving lights are definitely handy for seeing excellently. I have a spot and a flood - for the reasons already stated by others.
Regarding LED light bars - read this -
https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/where-can-you-legally-mount-led-lightbars/
The acceptance, and regulations, seem to be changing (relaxing) each month.
Cheers - John

Yes, it shows the ridiculous situation where different states have different rules again. I think his interpretation of the maximum height of the light bars is a bit conservative though. As long as it is fitted forward facing, symmetric with the vehicle centreline, doesn't protrude beyond the bull bar and is no higher than than the top edge of the bonnet (not visible to the driver) it is OK. That means you can fit the light under-slung to the top rail of the bull bar using brackets that sit below the top rail. And ADRs show that LED light bars MAY be fitted to the roof of the vehicle. LED Light Bar Fact Sheet.

Edit: Well that may be correct, I just read the clause at the bottom of the page confuse

-- Edited by 03_Troopy on Tuesday 19th of January 2016 07:48:45 AM